The Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare (FMOH&SW) is taking urgent action in response to the escalating Diphtheria outbreak that has gripped several states across the country. Since the resurgence of Diphtheria in December 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has been diligently addressing Diphtheria outbreaks in multiple states.
As of September 24th, 2023, there have been a staggering 11,587 reported suspected cases of Diphtheria, with 7,202 confirmed cases documented across 105 Local Government Areas (LGAs) spanning 18 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Alarmingly, the majority of confirmed cases, amounting to 6,185, have been reported in Kano.
Other affected states include Yobe (640 cases), Katsina (213 cases), Borno (95 cases), Kaduna (16 cases), Jigawa (14 cases), Bauchi (8 cases), Lagos (8 cases), FCT (5 cases), Gombe (5 cases), Osun (3 cases), Sokoto (3 cases), Niger (2 cases), Cross River (1 case), Enugu (1 case), Imo (1 case), Nasarawa (1 case), and Zamfara (1 case). The majority, constituting 73.6% of confirmed cases, occurred among children aged 1 to 14 years, with those aged 5 to 14 years being the most affected. Tragically, a total of 453 deaths have been reported among confirmed cases, resulting in a case fatality rate (CFR) of 6.3%.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Honourable Coordinating Minister of the FMOH&SW, has established a national emergency task team. This task force is co-chaired by the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to ensure coordinated and comprehensive outbreak response efforts. It is comprised of prominent members from various organizations, including the Federal Ministry of Information, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), USCDC, USAID, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, non-governmental organizations, and development partners.
Diphtheria, a preventable disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, is included in Nigeria’s childhood immunization schedule. The outbreak has been exacerbated by historical gaps in vaccination coverage, particularly affecting the 5–14-year-old age group. A nationwide diphtheria immunity survey revealed that only 42% of children under 15 years are fully protected from diphtheria.
In response to the outbreak, the FMOH&SW and its agencies have been actively coordinating surveillance and response activities across the country. These efforts encompass response coordination, surveillance, laboratory investigations, vaccination campaigns, case management, and risk communication activities.
Key actions taken by the authorities include:
Establishment of the Diphtheria Emergency Task Team for national and sub-national coordination.
Activation of a National Diphtheria Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at NCDC.
Deployment of National Rapid Response Teams (NRRT) to affected states.
Development of National Diphtheria Surveillance and Response guidelines.
Sensitization and training of healthcare professionals on diphtheria.
Harmonization of surveillance and laboratory data.
Expansion of the Diphtheria Laboratory Network.
Building capacity of state-owned public health laboratories.
Procurement and distribution of diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) and intravenous erythromycin.
Establishment of Diphtheria Treatment Centres/Wards in affected states.
Intensification of routine diphtheria immunization and vaccination campaigns.
Dissemination of public health advisories and awareness campaigns.
Coordinated risk communication and community engagement efforts.
The public is strongly urged to:
Ensure children receive the recommended diphtheria vaccinations.
Healthcare workers should practice infection prevention and control precautions.
Healthcare workers with high exposure should be vaccinated.
Individuals with symptoms should seek prompt medical attention.
Close contacts with confirmed cases should be closely monitored.
Vaccination against diphtheria is readily available at Primary Healthcare Centres nationwide. The public is encouraged to take advantage of ongoing vaccination programs.
The public is also advised to rely on verified information from credible sources including FMOH&SW, NCDC, NPHCDA, WHO, UNICEF, and other trusted organizations to avoid misinformation and rumors.
In the face of this challenging Diphtheria outbreak, coordinated efforts and vigilance are paramount to containing and ultimately overcoming the crisis.
